Pearl of the Orient

Goa when it's not monsoon season

Romance, Espanol, Portuguese Indians, great Mexican food, monsoon, swaying palms, motorbikes, cliffs, beaches, Baskin Robbins, shark, and wet everything. Yes this just about sums up my time in Goa - West Coast of India. Alot of these words seem to have nothing in common, more like a discombobulated mixture of everything good and bizarre.

It didn't feel like India. This much was for sure. No women in sarees, the men looked different (more spanish, more exotic), the seafood was superb, there were signs I understood (in Spanish), there were lots of churches, and there was the beachside which reminded one of Hawaii.

So besides the 12 hour bus ride and random hindi movies, our trip there wasn't so bad. We left at night on a sleeper charter bus which allowed us to fall asleep and almost wake up when we arrived. Upon arriving, clouds and rain greeted us, but we didn't let that dampen our spirits like it dampened our clothes.

That first day we actually made it in time for the continental breakfast! Afterwards I did heena on myself and two other girls. We napped and while everyone else decided to bounce and explore, we decided us girls would have our own adventures.

We walked around the little neighborhood area not far from our hotel, the Castle House (amazing, I rate it 5 stars). We stopped at a little cafe and bar called Infantaria. I had amazing prawns (shrimp) and some peach iced tea. We went window shopping along the market trying to see if we could gain bargains for some of the cute sandals and rompers hanging in the doorways. One girl convinced me to buy this corn that they grill and douse in lime and masala. It was hands down the best corn on the cob I have ever tasted. (It stopped raining enough for us to do all this. )

That night, as a group we decided to have dinner on the famous Calagunte Beach at Souza Lobo and hookah aftwerwards in candelit benches in the sand facing the sweet ocean's spray.

It rained a little and then I got on the motorbike with a friend and we had a lovely desert of Baskin Robbins on the quieter mystique Baga Beach. The next day my roomate was sick, yet she still toughened up to go out with us. I had gotten a motorbike for the day with gas (guess what, just about 9 US dollars). I had my first accident in the first two seconds without even getting on the bike. Basically my hand was on the accelerator and I ran the bike into the wall and scraped it along with my arm. No serious injuries, but everyone laughed at my clumsiness. Afterwards we would end up pushing our motorbikes miles upon miles (approx. 300 km) around Goa in torrenting violent rains, which I survived unscathed.

Riding around on motorbikes was definitely a highlight to my weekend, regardless of the rain and wetness everywhere. We explored some of the beaches, temples, and beautiful scenery apparent everywhere in Goa. We went back and got ready in the little remaining dry clothes we had left for dinner at Infantaria and desert at Souza Lobo (consisting of Flan).

At Infantaria, we had the best pasta I have ever tasted. That night I went exploring in the vast Jungles on motorbike to discover an old fort with a lighthouse guarding its trenches. If you went around the backside there was a lovely view of Goa, the city lights, the beaches hugging the oceans slapping waves and rocky sides, and this hillside of moss trees. Everything was serene and romantic. I believe Goa is a place for the honeymooners. We went down to another beach that started with an S near the Villanova Taj, which is apparently the king of all hotels. It extended several acres and looked like a 5 star resort only celebrities would stay in. There was a brick walkway border that had a path extending into the ocean and the private beaches with palm tree walls gave it an added touch.

The next day was our last day so we ate at an awesome Mexican Restaurant where I had tostadas and excellent Chai. We then all split up so some of us could see the lighthouse and others could see the cliffside and Anjuna Beach/Fort. The cliffside was lovely, you could see each green hillside jutting out into the ocean like fingers. We went down and took a few pictures and by the time we climbed back up the hillside it started to rain. There was a little market facing the ocean on that hillside where I purchased elephant tusk necklaces with different animals carved intricately in the material.

We traveled back, fully satisfied, maybe a little sick, and ready for dry weather after an unforgettable amazing 3 days in Goa. I loved it all because I got to explore, get closer to my friends in the summer program, and eat richly delicious food.